Most of the sodium consumed in the United States is from processed and restaurant foods. While we all need some sodium in our diets, too much can increase blood pressure and raise the chances of having a heart attack or a stroke. [...]
Health and well-being are the focus of healthy aging. “Good health” might be defined differently by different people, but I think everyone would agree the goal is to “feel good, sleep well, eat well, and engage in meaningful activity.” Getting older doesn’t have to mean a decline in quality in life. With the right lifestyle habits, everyone should be able to enjoy good health and healthy aging. [...]
Everyone ages, but aging doesn’t have to lead to high blood pressure, diabetes or dementia. A long-term research study has found that there is a difference between “normal” aging and age-related diseases or conditions. [...]
There’s a new eating plan in town and it focuses on foods commonly eaten in Scandinavian countries. It’s called the New Nordic Diet, or Nordic Diet for short. Read on to learn how this eating plan can benefit your health. [...]
If you’ve been feeling sad, blue or down for more than a few days at a time, it’s important to seek professional help. Depression can be effectively treated and managed in a number of ways, including with therapy or medication. [...]
With the holidays behind us and a new year in front of us, thoughts often turn to starting fresh, especially when it comes to losing weight. Whether you have put on a few pounds over the holidays, or just want to shed a few pounds to help improve your health, lose weight smartly and safely with the steps laid out in this article. [...]
If you’ve been to the grocery store lately, you’ve probably seen the many different kinds of yogurt in the dairy case. You might even be eating some of those yogurts. Besides being a convenient snack, yogurt tastes good and is good for your health – as long as you know what to look for and what to steer clear of. [...]
When you think of caring for your diabetes, you might think about counting carbohydrates, self-testing your blood glucose levels or managing your medicines (with the help of your doctor). These are all important things to do, but the American Diabetes Association (ADA), in its 2016 Standards of Medical Care, says that there should be more focus on you and your specific, customized needs. [...]
Diabetes can affect nearly every system in your body, including your musculoskeletal system, a fancy term for your muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Diabetes can lead to problems with your hands, feet, wrists, shoulders, neck and spine. Here are some of the more common joint problems that are linked to diabetes. [...]
As we age, we are at higher risk for developing chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and arthritis. According to the National Council on Aging, about 92% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and as many as 77% have at least two. A staggering 57 million Americans over the age of 20 have prediabetes, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. These daunting numbers make healthy aging seem nearly impossible, but there is hope. Studies have shown that by making lifestyle changes, the risk of developing diabetes is reduced by 71%. [...]
Over a lifetime of use, your joints might not move as well or as comfortably as when you were younger. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of joint discomfort in older adults and in people who are overweight or have diabetes. In fact, it’s not uncommon for someone to be overweight and have both diabetes and osteoarthritis. Living with multiple chronic conditions can make it difficult to be active and to engage in social or work activities. It can also cause emotional distress. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), arthritis has a greater impact on mental health and the ability to work than other chronic conditions. Thankfully, there are practical ways to help manage the discomfort. [...]
Despite what we might think, aging does not have to bring with it discomfort, poor memory and frailty. The human body is remarkable in its ability to repair itself no matter what the condition. No longer do we have to put up with feeling crummy. We can take action to age more youthfully. [...]
If you have diabetes, you’re likely continually aware of the condition. Diabetes is not something that one easily forgets. Living with a chronic condition, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is enough to wear anyone down. In addition, diabetes is a disease of self-management – up to 99% of diabetes care is up to you. And that’s on top of everything else you have to do in your life, like going to work or taking care of your family. Over time, you might feel overwhelmed or discouraged. [...]
Is your blood pressure at a healthy level? Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level is important to help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other heart problems. New guidelines released by a group of experts talk about new ways for patients to manage high blood pressure as well as ways for doctors to treat patients with high blood pressure. [...]
You have probably seen this scenario in a movie or on TV - someone got very angry and then suddenly, he had a heart attack. While it makes a great story, the real-life impact of emotional distress on your heart is usually not so sudden or dramatic. However, stress does have an effect on your heart and blood vessels. [...]
